It's baaaack. NBA owners and players agree to deal.
In the wee hours of Saturday morning, a tentative agreement was reached and there should be NBA action starting on Christmas Day.
It's baaaack. NBA owners and players agree to deal.
Bob Cooney
Whether you care or not, and many have certainly professed their lack of interest during a long lockout that spanned 149 days, the NBA owners and players came to a tentative agreement in the early hours this morning, meaning professional basketball could be back in action starting Christmas Day.
Lawyers for both sides still have to iron out all the details that were reached in New York and other details remain, but it appears that training camps will open on Dec. 9. Free agency also is expected to open that same day. There will be a quick free-agent period and shortened training camp (likely to include a couple of exhibition games) before the season opens on Christmas Day with three prime matchups, none of which includes the Sixers.
While the news of an agreement is certainly welcomed by the players and coaches, the starting time of the season isn't a very good one for the Sixers. Every year the Sixers are forced out of the Wells Fargo Center during the holidays as Disney On Ice invades the building. The Sixers were originally scheduled to be on a West Coast trip during the holidays, not returning home until a January 6 date with the Detroit Pistons. The NBA is looking to fit in a 66-game schedule, meaning an altered schedule will be made for all teams.
For the Sixers, no matter what, they will start the season at a disadvantage, perhaps with as many as their first six games on the road.
Coach Doug Collins and his asistants have been in Philadelphia the past few weeks, getting ready for the season and overseeing a slight overhaul of the team's practice facility at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Most players have been scattered all over the country, getting in their individual workouts. It shouldn't be long before they will all be arriving in Philadelphia to start working together.
Of course, this season brings a different look as new ownership, led by Joshua Harris, takes over the team. Out is general manager Ed Stefanski, leaving the bulk of the basketball decisions in the hands of Rod Thorn and Collins.
As for on the court questions, the main one will surround second-year player Evan Turner. After an up-and-down rookie season, Collins, and Sixers' fans, are looking for a huge improvement from the Ohio State product. Andre Iguodala is still with the team, despite what appeared to be major efforts before the lockout to move him. Rookie Nikola Vucevic should help add some bulk to the frontcourt, and point guard Jrue Holiday looks to continue his improvement.
"Lockout is over. Time to hop on the eliptical for some cardio," Turner tweeted this morning.
Two other Philly athletes who are basketball fans also weighed in on the end of the lockout:
"Let's hoop it up...... #SlamDunk on Christmas Day! NBA is back," Shane Victorino said on Twitter.
Added Michael Vick: "The NBA is back baby!!! Congrats to the players."
More to come. Stay tuned.
EagleLakersPhils - I said capitalize, not garner viewers and interest. Try reading the post and commenting intelligently instead of changing the meaning to suit your love of pro hoops. In my opinion the NHL is a far superior product to the NBA - and a season lost by the NBA would have been a great chance for a group of fans that haven't given the NHL a chance for whatever reason to see what an incredible sport it is. And like I said in my post - it appears that the NBA hasn't fixed anything - the Sixers stand no chance now or anytime in the future to compete with the glamor teams that all the top players want to and insist on playing for; ie. The Lakers, Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Mavs, and Spurs. Since 1980, only 8 different teams have won the NBA title - and 3 of those are one and done teams - so do the math - essentially only 5 teams have consistently competed for the trophy over the last 31 years; if you are outside of those cities, you really have little hope. That to me means the NBA is a lousy league and a lousy product. In comparison during that same span of time 14 teams have won the Stanley Cup.— CTL- "Time to hop on the eliptical for some cardio," Turner tweeted..." Evan doesn't sound to motivated to get to the next level otherwise he'd be ready to go.
— Gus L. 
In the NBA of today, two superstars are a minimum requirement for a shot at the title. This team has none and one of its 'potential' stars is just now getting into shape?— OldCoach- Gus and OldCOach: I was thinking the same thing. Also, I wouldn't worry about winning much this season b/c it will go down with an asterisk. They need to see where they can be, free agent wise, after this season.— nceagle
- It seems to me that, hockey fans aren't basketball fans and basketball fans aren't necessarily hockey fans. When the NHL lost it's season a couple of years ago to it's lockout there was no spike in NBA attendance and or viewership and during the NBA lockout there hasn't been a spike in hockey attendance and or viewership. The same the NBA is irrelevant postings that we have gotten during the lockout are the same NBA is irrelevant postings that we have gotten during the season. The NBA has and always will thrive without the crossover fans the same way that hockey will thrive without the crossover fans.— The Time Is Now
- watch college ball much better product...— mbutley
- i'll watch the sixers then I'll fall asleep— 658012
- The Iverson years just weren't basketball, but Doug Collins and Rod Thorn are thoroughly professional. Looking forward to see them play.— tomficara
- Mixed emotions ... Looking forward to the Sixers season and hope they continue the upward trend...But, I don't see how this agreement fixes the major problems with the NBA product (many noted on these boards).— Polecat_39
- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz— Lil Ratman
- Rich FN cry babies are back to work!Who cares?— dieseldee37
- Can't wait to order my sixers tix....to join the other 5000 fans at the games. I hope the season lasts until Labor day.....O Boy, would that be great!!— Bigbirch
- Glad the league is back! Thx for the early christmas gift. Let's go Sixers!!!— Ray Nathan
- Most of the disparaging comments comes from Flyers' fans. Because somewhere in their delusional heads sits a belief that the team is superior, even though they haven't won squat in about 36 years. Get over yourselves and embrace another season of disappointment. No better than the Sixers.— beegal99
- Turner and Jrue should be kept and everyone else's expendable. Position the team to make a play for Howard. Think big. He'll own this city.— beegal99
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
